Source water is untreated water from streams, lakes, rivers or underground aquifers that people use for potable water supply. Protecting source water is a team effort, a collaboration between Source Protection Authorities, municipalities, the province, and community members.

Source water protection authorities

Innisfil belongs to the South Georgian Bay Lake Simcoe Source Protection Region. There are three source protection authorities within this region:

Multi-barrier approach

InnServices has been granted Accreditation to the Drinking Water Quality Management Standard. To ensure that our drinking water is safe, we use a multi-barrier approach. 

Source Water Protection
Protecting lake or ground water used for drinking by taking action to reduce contamination threats. This approach can also reduce the amount of treatment required to clean the water.
Water Treatment Back-up
Water treatment systems are designed with back-ups at all stages.
Secure Water Supply Network
Ensuring network integrity and chlorine levels are sufficient to protect the water from contaminant threats while it travels to the furthest downstream user.
Sampling and Monitoring Programs
Monitoring water quality at the source, the treatment plants, and throughout the town to ensure that the drinking water from all taps is safe.
Prepared Response Plan
Having a detailed plan for responding to water quality issues found despite all of the other barriers.

How you can help

You can help keep our drinking water safe.

  • Maintain your well – Unmaintained, old or unused wells on your property can become a direct pathway for pollution to contaminate groundwater. Contact a licensed well contractor and have your well inspected and maintained. Have unused wells properly decommissioned.
  • Maintain your septic system – Have it pumped regularly. A failing septic system can contaminate sources of drinking water and cause serious environmental and health problems.
  • If you heat your home with oil or other fuels – Consider replacing your fuel tank with a double walled or double bottomed tank and installing a drip tray alarm (on indoor tanks). This will help to protect your property and drinking water sources.
  • In the yard – Take care when handling fuel and other hazardous liquids. Even small amounts of spilled or leaked fuel can contaminate many thousands of litres of groundwater. Plant native plants that require less watering once established. 
  • In the garage and basement – Be careful and alert when handling, storing or using chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers. 
  • Dispose of your hazardous substances properly – Participate in your municipality’s Household Hazardous Waste program. These programs make sure that substances are disposed of properly and don’t end up contaminating our water supplies.
  • If you have a shoreline – Keep it natural. Maintain natural vegetation along the shoreline to reduce run-off of pollutants into the water.